WO2012152344A2

WO2012152344A2 - Alignment and/or tracking device for solar collectors

Info

Publication number: WO2012152344A2
Application number: PCT/EP2011/072887
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephan Reisch; Johann Rainer
Original assignee: Contour-Track Gmbh
Priority date: 2011-05-11
Filing date: 2011-12-15
Publication date: 2012-11-15
Also published as: US20140054433A1; WO2012152344A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an alignment and/or tracking device (1) for solar collectors (x), comprising a plurality of pivot axles (S) on each of which a plurality of solar collectors (5, 5') are mounted, and a jointly acting adjustment device (6, 7, 8) which couples the pivot axles (S) to one another in such a way that the pivot axles (S) are jointly pivotable. The alignment and/or tracking device according to the invention is characterised in that the adjustment device (6, 7, 8) is coupled to each of the pivot axles (S) by at least one articulation joint (GL), in particular a universal joint.

Description

Alignment and / or tracking device for solar collectors

Technical area

The invention relates to an alignment and / or

Tracking device for solar collectors according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

State of the art

Conventional collector areas are aligned in a simple construction on a central position of the sun, which, however, considerable disadvantages due to the day and

Seasons course has changing sun position. better

Systems may, for example, have columns that have a so-called tracking function in accordance with the changing position of the sun during the course of the day. For example, WO 2009/015221 A2 discloses a known tracking system for solar collectors.

Such columns with tracking systems are relatively expensive to manufacture, install and operate with relatively high maintenance. In addition, they are considered to be relatively prone to failure, as a variety of moving mechanical parts is exposed to the weather.

In addition, the Applicant are registration and

Trackers according to the preamble of claim 1 known. However, these have the disadvantage that they can be erected only on level ground, or that in variable terrain topographies consuming measures are required, such as compensation foundations, grading or the like. It should be noted that, for example, grading work in many areas can not or may not be performed.

Presentation of the invention

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive system for aligning and tracking solar panels to a changing one

Sun position to provide that largely

regardless of the terrain and the terrain.

This object of the invention is achieved with the subject matter of

achieved independent claim. Features more advantageous

Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

In order to achieve the stated aim, the invention proposes a generic alignment and / or tracking device for solar collectors, in which the adjusting device with the pivot axes in each case via at least one joint,

in particular a gimbal-acting joint is coupled. The joint makes it possible to compensate for angular deviations that may arise, for example, from the terrain topography. As a result, the alignment and / or tracking device according to the invention can be used in virtually any terrain and, despite variable terrain topographies, allow an adjustment of the pivot axes adapted to the solar radiation. All this comes with a

achieved comparatively simple construction.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one pivot axis has at least two support elements between which a connecting joint, in particular a gimbal-acting connecting joint, is arranged. This makes it possible to achieve an even better adaptability to different terrain topographies.

In addition, it is provided according to a development of the invention that the pivot axes are supported on support elements, wherein between the pivot axes and at least some support elements, a support joint,

in particular a divisible ball joint, is provided.

This allows a particularly stable system

can be simultaneously aligned and tracked restraint-free and precise.

The adjusting device has, according to a development of the invention, at least one pivoting drive, which

For example, works hydraulically or by electric motor. Hydraulic quarter-turn actuators have the particular advantage that they are also suitable for the continuous application of a driving force without permanently consuming energy. This is with the very continuous

Alignment and tracking operations of particular importance.

Although it is possible in principle that only one

single pivot drive is provided, is provided according to a development of the invention that the

Adjusting device comprises two pivoting drives, which are arranged at opposite ends of the adjusting device and preferably act in opposite directions. By this particular embodiment, it becomes possible, the construction of the alignment and invention

To simplify tracking device considerably. So it is possible, for example, the transmission of the

Pivoting drives coming driving forces exclusively or at least predominantly on tension elements (eg., Ropes or rods) to effect, so on consuming and

heavyweight compression or bending members largely

can be waived. Against this background, it is provided according to a development of the invention that the adjusting device a

Control device which is arranged, the

To control part-turn actuators such that connecting elements of the adjusting device are always claimed at least in operation to train.

According to a development of the invention is further

provided that the adjusting device has a plurality of actuating lever units, wherein between two adjacent actuating lever units in each case a rod-shaped element,

in particular, a traction means is provided. This results in a small number of units that can be easily prefabricated in large quantities, a

reliable and at the same time simple construction, which can also be mounted quickly. It is particularly preferred that the control lever units each have a lever

have, which couples the adjusting device with the associated pivot axis. This results in low

Actuating forces and a precise adjustability or a precise alignment and tracking operation.

According to a development of the invention is further

provided that at least one lever unit a

Return means, in particular a spring, to cherweise the respective adjusting lever in the direction of a starting position. This can be in the course of the

Aligning and Nachführbetriebes resulting torques, which primarily result from the weight of the solar collectors, reduce or intercept. This results in a reduction of the restoring forces and thus a significant

Relief of the drives, which can then be designed more compact and with less power. Furthermore, these torques must not be introduced into the support structure and foundations. This allows the corresponding components - up to the anchorage in the Underground - much easier. Furthermore, fewer deformations occur in the overall system.

According to a development of the invention is further

provided that the adjusting device has joints, preferably ball heads, in particular in the region of a connection between actuating lever units and rod-shaped elements.

This results in a zwangungsfreier adjustment without complex components would be required.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and its advantages will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The size ratios of the individual elements

to each other in the figures does not always correspond to the real size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are enlarged for better illustration

Relationship to other elements are shown.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows the basic structure of a so-called.

Horizontal tracker.

Fig. 2 shows a section along a pivot axis

Trackers according to FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a further section, but without the

Collector surface.

Fig. 4 shows the structure of the drive of the pivot axes

Terrain .

Fig. 5 shows a drive station which is located on a

Ground anchor is mounted.

Fig. 6 shows a pivoting station. shows an area on one side of a drive or pivoting station with connected support member shows a section through the pivot axis of a drive or Schwenkstatio. shows in detail the structure of the joint bearing area in section. shows the joint bearing area in a dissolved form, showing the further structure of a pivoting station. shows a divisible ball joint, showing a connecting joint. shows a bearing with the ball joint in the course of a rectilinear pivot axis. shows the formation of a bearing with the ball joint and connecting joint in a curved pivot axis. shows a nut basket, which is used for easy and quick installation of the pivot axes. shows the nuts basket in a straight line connection. shows a terrain course with several collectors.

Fig. 19 shows an alternative embodiment

Swivel station in a side view FIG. 20 is a perspective view of FIG. 19; FIG

shown pivoting station.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Fig. 1 shows the basic structure of a so-called.

Horizontal tracker 1, d. h an alignment and / or

Tracking device 1, on an uneven terrain 2. The horizontal tracker 1 is here for clarity only partially constructed or drawn, so that only one

Swivel axis S with panels and a portion of the drive A are visible.

The pivot axis S preferably extends in north-south direction and is pivoted according to the invention by about +/- 45 °. The drive range is usually in the middle in the east-west direction. The extension of a unit can be, for example, up to 60m by 120m. This is usually an adaptation to the terrain or its formation and / or inclination

required.

FIG. 2 shows a section along a pivot axis S with a rectilinear region H, occupied by solar collectors 5, and a curved region G with solar collectors 5 '.

In between is the narrow drive area A. The pivot axes S are usually elevated to ground anchors 4 on the floor 3. It becomes apparent that at the

rectilinear side of the distance occupancy (solar panels 5) to the floor h2 is increased by the slightly sloping terrain. In the curved area G, however, remains the

Distance occupancy (solar panels 5 ') to the bottom hl approximately equal. It is advantageous if the distance to the ground does not change, because then you can always work with equal length ground anchors and the panels too

Maintenance are easier to access. Fig. 3 shows practically the same section as in Fig. 2 again, but without occupancy, ie without the

Collector surfaces 5, 5 '. This will change the course of

Swivel axes Sl and S2 clearer. The straightforward

Pivot axis Sl in the straight region H can be rotated only at the drive range A by an angle ω, since there is a joint bearing on the drives. The curved pivot axis 32 in the curved area G is here

for example, divided into three sections gl, g2 and g3, which then depending on the requirement by certain angle φ am

Drive, an angle between gl and g2 and an angle ß between g2 and g3 are rotated so that they are the

Follow terrain contour 3. The curved pivot axis is a bit more expensive in terms of cost, so that it does not have to be used on level terrain either. The system enables both variants, which can be combined in any way.

Fig. 4 shows the structure of the drive of the pivot axes S in the area. Decisive here is that in each case at the end of the drive line (here 3x distance D) a drive unit with lever upwards 6 sits, each working on train. The intervening pivot units with swivel lever up 7 are actuated by the traction means 8 with. The

Swivel angle SW are usually ± 45 °. If the drive is pulled in one direction, the pulled drive holds with a residual force against the pull drive, bringing the

System of the traction means 8 is securely held under tension. To a standstill, both externally mounted drives build up a minimum clamping force in order to fix the system. The number of swivel units between the drives (here only 2) can of course be much higher. If the lateral drives are hydraulically actuated, the connection and control of both sides can either go via hydraulic line.

A cheaper variant provides for a control of both sides via an electrical control, so that these two Pages are connected only by cable. Also possible would be a radio control. A tense system has the advantage, especially in storm, that it does not rock so easily.

Fig. 5 shows a drive station 6, mounted on a ground anchor 4. Visible is the pivot lever 11 which rotates about the pivot axis S, or these between the

Forms bearings. The pivot lever 11 is moved by the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 10. Also, the outgoing tension element 8 can be seen here. It is also shown how the support elements 9, here a square tube at the joint areas GL, which also form the storage, are connected. Of the

Hydraulic cylinder could also be replaced by a spindle motor. The drive unit also forms the fixed bearing for the complete pivot axis S, since all others

Bearings must be designed as floating bearings to accommodate the inevitable thermal changes in length can.

FIG. 6 shows a pivoting station 7, several of which are constructed between two drive stations 6 (see FIG. 4). For better illustration, a side wall of

Frame not shown, whereby the pivot lever 11 and the outgoing therefrom tension elements 8 can be seen. Otherwise, the pivoting station 7 is constructed as the drive station 6 on a foundation foundation 4 and is except for the

Hydraulic cylinder and its support constructed essentially of the same components. For manufacturing reasons and to reduce costs as many common parts are used in the modules.

Fig. 7 shows the area GL on one side of a

Drive or swivel station 6/7 with connected

Tragelement 9. Recognizable here is the hinge ring 13, which practically forms a gimbal bearing, in which he himself is tied in the bearing ring fork 14 and on the

Bearing plates 12, the support element 9 on immt. The bearing ring with Fork 14 is connected to the pivot lever 11; These parts thus form the pivot axis S. The retaining plates 15 ensure axial securing. As a result of this connection, both the rectilinear and the curved pivot axis can be attached angled to the pivoting or drive station, which as a rule is constructed vertically.

Fig. 8 shows a section through the pivot axis S of a drive or pivoting station. Visible here are the two side plates 17, which are connected below via the bottom plate 18. The pivot lever 11 together with the two joint bearing portions GL form the pivot axis S.

Fig. 9 shows again in detail the structure of

Joint bearing area in section. Visible here are the joint bushings 16, which are used to connect the joint ring 13 and the bearing ring with fork 14 and the fork flaps 12. For attachment are useful

Flange bolts 20 and nuts 21 used. to

Reduction of friction in the soffit of the bearing diameter in the side wall 17 is still a bearing bush 19 is used here. The bushing 19 is also required to prevent corrosion in storage.

10 shows the joint bearing area in dissolved form and thus again the individual components pivot lever 11, joint plates 12, joint ring 13, bearing ring with fork 14, retaining plates 15, joint bushings 16, side plate 17,

Base plate 18 and bushing 19. For all parts, attention was paid to a simple manufacturing process; thus, the bearing ring may be e.g. be produced as a forging cheap. The bearing plates are only flat laser or stamped parts, as well as the holding plates. The bearing ring with fork can

also be made in a punching tool.

Fig. 11 shows the remaining structure of a pivoting station or - as here - drive station. Here are the Side plates 17 designed so that the bottom plate 18 and the cover 22 can be installed also exchanged and thus the orientation of the pivot lever 11 up or down is possible. The boom or the cylinder support 23 and the hydraulic cylinder 10 are only for the

Drive stations required. Here, too, attention was paid as far as possible to equality of parts and high flexibility.

FIG. 12 shows, as a further important element for the optimized horizontal tracker, a divisible ball joint 24 with a receiving diameter (in this case square) for the support elements. It consists of a base plate 25 with the slots L, which compensate for assembly tolerances in horizontal

Serve direction. Next are the two

Ball halves 26, the spherical shell halves 27 and the

Gutter 28. To join the parts

Flange screws 29 and nuts 30 used. Due to the divisibility of the bearing, the support elements can be placed and must not be pushed through, which is up to 12m in length, a significant effort. Further, the bearings can be replaced if necessary, without other

To dismantle components. The execution of

Half shells could also have other graduation levels, which does not change the principle.

FIG. 13 shows a connecting joint 31 in which all components from the joint region GL are again found, such as

Joint ring 13 and fork flaps 12. A new addition to this is the double fork 32. The connecting joint is used for the articulated connection of two support elements in the curved pivot axis. Again, there is again a pronounced equal parts principle.

14 now shows the formation of a bearing with the ball joint 24 in the course of a rectilinear pivot axis Sl, the support elements 9 {here square tubes) are connected only with two straight connectors 35 {flat plates). The Ball joint 24 is constructed on a ground anchor with flange plate 33. The flange plate of the ground anchor 33 also has slots L for receiving on tolerances in the

Vertical. The flange plate could also be a threaded part, e.g. on commercially available screw foundations

is screwed on. The slots L are at a

welded variant preferably as long as half the thread pitch of Schraubfamentamentes. In this case, the plate can be brought to a halt when screwing in the position perpendicular to the pivot axis. The exact

Height adjustment then takes place via the slot.

Fig. 15 shows the formation of a bearing with the ball joint 24 and connecting joint 31 in a

curved pivot axis S2, consisting of the sections S2a and S2b, which are curved at an angle a to each other. The function of the ball joint 24 as a support element for

Support elements 9 is the same as in Fig. 14. The ball joint and the connecting joint take next to the

Schwenkachsenkrümmung according to the terrain on all other misalignment due to body tolerances on and ensure a smooth and smooth running of the

Tracking device.

Fig. 16 shows a nut basket 36, which serves for easy and quick installation of the pivot axes. He positions the required nuts in the support element (here for

Square tube). For this purpose, the required number of nuts 38 are used in a carrier element 37, which is preferably made of elastic material. For height guidance height guides F and stop edges K are integrated. The support element can be inexpensively manufactured as an injection molded part in a plane and only then be folded to ü. For example, the element could also be pre-fitted automatically with nuts in advance, and only the baskets are pushed in place on the construction site. The number of nuts can of course, vary; Also forms are conceivable eg for round tubes.

Fig. 17 shows again the use of the mother basket 36, here at a straight-line connection. A support member 9 is not shown here to make the position of the parent basket 36 visible. The nuts basket can by the

Uniform design of the connections for the support elements (here square tubes) are used at all.

Fig. 18 shows a positive side effect of an orientation of the pivot lever upwards. By narrow

Body widths AB are also the heights of the swivel axes HS not very high. This results in downwardly directed pivoting arms (drive and swivel stations 6 "and 7") at very low clearance heights HDu, which is very inadequate for the care of the terrain. With drive and

Swing stations 6 and 7 (upwardly aligned pivot arms) increases the clearance height to HDo at the same height of the pivot axes HS. This can often be granted at least the passage of care tractors. The point of care, especially the soil and plant care of a solar system is often underestimated, being built-in and too low

Constructions are difficult and often can only be maintained by hand, resulting in high, unexpected additional costs.

Fig. 19 shows a side view of a lever unit 7 according to an alternative embodiment. A

Perspective view of this lever unit 7 is shown in Fig. 20. This lever unit 7 is characterized in that it comprises springs 41 which are adapted to

Actuate lever 40 to act in the direction of its respective starting position. For this purpose, the springs 41

on the one hand with the lever 40 and on the other hand

Connecting means 42 connected to the housing of the lever unit 7. FIG. 19 shows the adjusting lever 40 in its initial position, and FIG. 20 shows the adjusting lever 40 in FIG his position deflected in one direction. In this position, the springs 41 act on the lever in

In this way, resulting from the weight of the solar collectors 5, 5 'resulting torques are absorbed, so that the

Part-turn actuators must provide a lower drive power.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

claims

1. alignment and / or tracking device (1} for

Solar collectors (x), comprising: a plurality of pivot axes (S), on each of which a plurality of solar collectors (5, 5 ') are mounted, and a jointly acting adjusting device (6, 7, 8), which the pivot axes (S) coupled in such a way that the pivot axes (S) are pivotable together, characterized in that the adjusting device {6, 7, 8} with the pivot axes (S) in each case via at least one joint (GL),

in particular a gimbal-acting joint is coupled.

2. Aligning and / or tracking device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one

Swivel axis (S) at least two support elements (9), between which a connecting joint (31), in particular a gimbal-acting connecting joint, is arranged.

3. alignment and / or tracking device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivot axes (S) on support elements (33) are supported, wherein between the pivot axes (S) and at least some support elements (33) has a support joint (24) , in particular divisible ball joint, is provided.

4. alignment and / or tracking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (6, 7, 8} at least one

Swivel drive (10} has.

5. alignment and / or tracking device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one

Part-turn actuator (10) operates hydraulically or by electric motor.

6. alignment and / or tracking device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the

Adjusting device (6, 7, 8) has two pivoting drives (10), which at opposite ends of

Adjusting means (6, 7, 8) are arranged and act feewtffigt in opposite directions.

7. alignment and / or tracking device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the adjusting device (6, 7, 8) has a control device which is adapted to control the pivot drives (10) such that connecting elements (8 ) of the adjusting device (6, 7, 8) are always subjected to train at least during operation.

8. alignment and / or tracking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (6, 7, 8) has a plurality of actuating lever units (6, 7), wherein between two adjacent control lever units (6, 7} each one rod-shaped element (8), in particular a traction means is provided.

9. alignment and / or tracking device according to claim 8, characterized in that the actuating lever units (6, 7) each have an adjusting lever {11, 40), which the Adjustment device {6, 7, 8} with the associated

Swivel axis (S) couples.

10. alignment and / or tracking device according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one

Lever unit (6, 7) a return means,

In particular, a spring (41) to act on the respective adjusting lever (40) in the direction of a starting position.

11. Alignment and / or tracking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (6, 7, 8) has joints, preferably ball heads, in particular in the region of a connection between actuating lever units (5, 7) and rod-shaped elements (8 ).

12. alignment and / or tracking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot axis (S) extends substantially in the north-south direction.